Going gray doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process your hair experiences — where hair follicles stop generating melanin, and your hair becomes deprived of pigment — but once you realized it’s happening, it can feel very sudden. You won’t wake up one morning with new silver strands; they grow just like all the other colored hairs on your head. But once you start looking for gray hairs, you may notice a line of demarcation in larger sections of your hair where the gray started (and the color stopped).
People often talk about gray hair, but “salt and pepper” hair can be all shades of gray, white and silver. And if you’ve decided to embrace this mature color hue, we have some great tips to rock gray hair with style.
Don’t Grow Out Your Roots
If you’ve been coloring your hair for a while, the easiest, no-cost option is just to stop dying your hair and let the gray show. But if it’s a hair drastic change in color, or if your hair is longer, that’s not necessarily the most styling option.
Do Opt for a Color Correction
Instead of getting your “normal” color, work in some gray tones to ease in to your new, natural hue. Think of it as getting highlights, but with gray instead of blonde. You can work in more gray at the salon over the next several months until everything is better blended and you no longer have noticeable roots.
Don’t Transition Right Away
Again, if you’ve been dying your hair for a long time, the transition into gray could take some time. In fact, it can take anywhere from six months to a year to fully go from color to gray. Also, it may be better to wait and get some growth to see where and how much gray is in your hair. Perhaps you have a more salt-and-pepper look right now, but in a few years, you’ll have more gray. Your colorist can work to apply different shades (depending on what color your hair was… and now is) to create a perfectly chic new look.
Do Have Fun Playing with Color Options
Just like brunette, blondes and redheads don’t need to be a single, flat-note of color, gray hair can have a lot of dynamic shades. If you’re not fully gray, feel free to add in in different shades — from dark brown to ice blonde, mixed in with cool gray, silver and darker grays — depending on if you’re going for an overall dark or light look.
Don’t Neglect Your Gray Hair
In some regards, gray hair isn’t that different from red or platinum hair. Your gray “highlights” can get a little brassy, and the highlighted parts of your hair can turn a bit yellow once the gray toner starts washing out. Work with your stylist to see if you need more toner or glosses over the course of your transition, and consider using a purple-toned shampoo to balance out brassiness.
Do Get a Great Haircut
Nothing shows off a new hair color better than a great haircut. Whether you’re freshening up your tried-and-true style or boldly trying a new cut, you’ll look and feel your best with a flattering and on-trend cut.